Automatic Taping Tools

tburritt

I was woundering what brand of taping tools everyone uses. What brand of Automatic Taper and finishing boxes are most recomended that have the fewest problems. I have narrowed the selection to either Columbia or Tapetec. I have had the most positive feedback on these two brands but was woundering what everyone else had to say about these or any other brand on the market. Any and ALL feedback would be greatly appreciated! This is a major purchase for me and want to be sure I get the best tool available that will last the longest.

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A small fish in a big pond making a difference one job at a time!

ThatDrywallGuy

unless your planning on buying a "set" , there are good and bad points to all of em.

after running tools for almost 20 years ive found my perfect setup
its a mish mash of different manufacturers.

Taper: Drywall Master .....identical to Tapetech but cheaper
Pumps: Columbia.... plain and simple they make the nicest pumps.
Boxes: Columbia
Handles: Premier/Blueline.....i cant stand skinny handles anymore.
Angle tools: Tapetech, but i love older style Tapeworm angle heads with the big fat blades.

Chris

CrpntrFrk

All blue line usa for me. I love them. The mud boxes are a bit bigger so you don't have to go to the pump as often.

Drywall1

I run all tape-tech. Grew up on all tape worm. But the supply house in town here has any part you need for tape-tech just minutes from my house. That is the number one reason I run what I do. Down time could cost me more than a new tube, if i had to wait on parts.

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Rockin the Midwest from the time I could walk.

joepro0000

I got a crazy aresen -

Tape Tech Bazooka
10" Columbia Box
12" Columbia Box
Columbia Pump
Finish Pro Angle head/roller
Finish Pro Angle box/ handles
Finish Pro Gooseneck

My back-up tools are
a complete set of Tape tech.

FOR THOSE ABOUT

Tape tech since George Orwell (1984) keep them clean and lubed replace a cable here and there. Allthough I did allow Jenn to purchase a Goldblatt 3" nailspotter her only selling point being the $200.00 price difference, only alien I have in my set, won't let here put it in "the box" but she's working on me because it is maroon and my set is gold (high school colors) man I'm old

joepro0000

Do you finish with your wife?

Bevelation

...Pieces of the puzzle are coming together.

Bevelation

Taper: My left and right hands.
Boxes: NorthStar
Pump: Columbia
Roller: Blue Line (I like the sharp edges on the wheels, but compared to the other styles, it takes more time to balance it from angle to angle).
Handles: One NorthStar extendable, and one Blue Line 36".
Angle Head: Columbia.
Nailspotters: Blue Line. I'm getting mixed feelings on these machines as to whether they're really saving time on jobs.

joepro0000

I asked that because I do finish with my wife, and she is a real good finisher. She has finished walls in the past with 1 coat, sanded and left smooth. So imagine. In the last 3 years, I must of seen over 2 dozen women finishers here in so Fl. There popping up on the rise, and some can finish better than guys, because women are more detailed oriented. And us guys sometimes are lazy. But were real good for running the tools, and them wiping behind us.

ThatDrywallGuy

a little freudian slip there,lol. at least i hope so
i think you meant to say wiping, but then again maybe not

Chris

Bevelation

Look what happens when each brings their wives into conversation.

Muddauber

Sounds a little kinky to me!

Have any pics?

joepro0000

hahahaha... yea I'm going to have a drywall DVD, you can see all you want but can't touch. However, you got to pay for the DVD- Drywall

tapingfool

All tape-tech all the time..

Whitey97

Full set of Tape-tech
full set of Tape worm
Blue line nail spotter.

A+ Texture LLC

complete set columbia.

19Riggs88

Actually both columbia and tape tech are on the top of my list.

One thing I've noticed over the years is that Tape Tech boxes when brand new they come with the brass piece that the blade seats in a little stiff. This makes it so it doesn't flex when the box is set on the deeper settings. They do break in with use but can present problems of not leaving enough mud at first no matter the adjustments because they just won't flex. Some new boxes I've had to use a rubber mallet to work the flexibility into the blade so the box is capable of leaving more mud. Especially when splitting butt joints.

It has been awhile since I had a new set so not sure if they still come from the manufacturer like this.

brdn_drywall

riggs do you always bust out butts with a box?
do you box ceiling and wall butts to a final finish coat even when not texturing?
do you do this for production housing as well as high end custom homes?

brdn_drywall

riggs i also found your "break-in" method advise on the brass blade holder on a new box interesting, just last week I've got to thinking that my brass holders are too old as they are 6+ yrs on each i am experiencing what i think is premature wearing of the blades on the ends of the blades, for some reason i seem to be changing blades on the boxes much quicker than i used to (maybe the manufactures are using lower grade steel than they used to) and contemplated ordering new brass holders for my boxes but after your input I'm second guessing that, maybe 1wallboardsman has input to this dilemma?